The tension in the room was heavy enough to get everyone astonished. Charles sat in his leather chair, his fingers lightly
tapping against the polished surface of his desk. Sofia stood beside him, her arms crossed, a look of defiance in her eyes.
Nathan moved back and forth, his phone clutched in his hand.
"We don't have much time," Nathan said grimly. "If the authorities get to you before we do damage control, it's over."
Charles slowly had a deep breath. "Then we move quickly. Set up the press conference."
Before Nathan could respond, the door swung open.
Hannah Hart stepped in.
Sofia's face sparkled
like a shining diamond at the sight of her best friend. "Hannah?"
Hannah rushed forward, her eyes filled with worry. "I just heard everything. I had to come."
Charles tilted his head, recognizing her voice. "Hannah, it's good to hear your voice again."
She nodded, then turned to Sofia, holding her hands. "You can't let Pamela win. She's manipulating you both. There has to be another way."
Sofia sighed. "We've gone over every option, but"
"There is another way." Hannah's voice was firm, her usually gentle demeanor got replaced with confidence. She glanced at Charles. "What if we give Pamela what she wants... but on our terms?"
Sofia frowned. "What do you mean?"
Hannah took a deep breath. "Charles, you're willing to call a press conference, right? Then why not make a different announcement? A distraction, something that will shift the narrative away from this scandal entirely."
Charles leaned forward. "Go on."
Hannah's lips curled into a small smile. "Announce your engagement."
Sofia gasped. "What?"
Hannah turned to her. "Think about it. If you and Charles publicly declare your love make it official Pamela's entire plot loses power. Instead of fueling rumors of a breakup or scandal, you turn the tables. The public will rally behind a love story, not a corporate downfall."
Sofia's heart heated hard. "But... that's"
"A brilliant move." Charles finished, his expression was not clear. He reached for Sofia's hand, he brushed her palm with his fingers. "It would put Pamela in checkmate."
Sofia swallowed hard. "But this isn't just about strategy, Charles. Marriage is"
"Exactly what I've wanted with you," he said, his voice softening. "Sofia, I was going to ask you anyway. Maybe not like this, under these circumstances, but my love for you isn't a game. This is real."
Sofia's breath caught. The world around her blurred as she looked into his sightless yet knowing eyes. Could they really turn this nightmare into something beautiful?
Nathan cleared
his throat. "There's one problem. Pamela won't take this lightly. If you do this, she'll double down."
Hannah smirked. "Then let her. She won't be able to twist the narrative once the world sees how much Charles and Sofia love each other."
Charles stood, his decision was strong. "Then we do it. Nathan, arrange the press conference. Hannah, stay with Sofia. I don't want Pamela trying anything."
Sofia hesitated, her heart hammering in her chest. But as she looked at Charles, the fear melted away. He wasn't just doing this for strategy, he meant every word.
Then, just as she opened her mouth to agree, her phone rang out.
An unknown number was calling.
She answered hesitantly. "Hello?"
A distorted voice was cracking through the line.
"If you go through with this engagement... Charles won't make it to the altar."
Sofia froze, her blood running cold. "Who is this?"
The call ended.
Her fingers trembled as she lowered the phone. She turned to Charles, who sensed her shift in energy.
"Sofia?" he asked, concern was in his voice.
She swallowed hard, looking into his face, his touchstone in this storm.
"Someone just threatened your life."
Silence fell.
Hannah gasped. Nathan's expression went on sad mode. Charles got tensed.
Sofia took a breath. She knew what Pamela was capable of, but this... this was something else.
"We can't give up," Charles finally said, his voice bold.
Sofia held his hand. "Then we fight. Together."
The war had just begun.
The next morning, the press conference was set. The venue buzzed with reporters and flashing cameras. Charles sat at the table, his angel was beside him, their hands were anchored. Hannah stood behind them, a pillar of support.
Nathan cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. Mr. Charles will make his statement now."
Charles took a deep breath.
"The allegations against me are false. They are a desperate attempt to undermine my character and my company." He paused, his grip on Sofia tightening. "And today, I refuse to let lies control my future."
He turned toward Sofia. "Sofia, will you marry me?"
Gasps echoed through the room. Sofia's breath hitched, emotions colliding within her. This was real. Not just a strategy, but a declaration of love.
Tears welled in her eyes. "Yes."
The room erupted into chaos, reporters shouting, cameras flashing but none of it mattered. All she saw was Charles.
Then, in the midst of the commotion, a gunshot rang out.
Screams filled the air. Charles instinctively pulled Sofia down, protecting her as security stormed the stage.
Nathan shouted into his earpiece. "Find the shooter!"
Hannah crouched beside them, fear in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Sofia's heart got restless. "Charles?"
"I'm fine," he assured her. But Sofia knew better. This wasn't just about business anymore. Someone wanted Charles gone.
As security tightened around them, Pamela's voice rang in Sofia's mind. This isn't over.
And Sofia knew, deep in her heart, that it was only the beginning.
To be continued...